Composite window structure



May 18, '1954 v J. J, ARussi-:LL 2,678,477 CoMPsITE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed July 11, l1952 s sheets-sheet 1 May 18, 1954 J. J. RUSSELL 2,678,477

` v COMPOSITE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed July 11, 1952 3 sheets-sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. .fase/p77 J fuSSe/Z May 18, 1954 i. J. RUSSELL I 2,678,477

COMPOSITE WINDOW STRUCTURE aerea?? tom. Rail 'i also has a cylindrical opening 3l extending longitudinally therethrough, such opening being preferably provided in the channel member il, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Removably mounted in each opening 3G and 3i is a rod S2 and a coil spring 33 sleeved thereon. The lower end of spring 33 is arranged for support upon the sill 25 of frame l and the upper end bears upon a fixed portion of the sash which, as shownV in respect of opening 30, comprises a lateral projection 34 carried by the upper corner member i and which projects into the upper end portion of opening 3&3. In respect of opening 3|, a cover plate 35 may be iixed to the top of member il, such plate having a shoulder 35 depending into opening 3l and providing a seating surface for the upper end of spring 33.

Preferably the spring 33 and rod 32 are enclosed within a tubular housing 3l. ends of rod 32, spring 33, and housing 3l are Y seated upon the sill in proper assembled relation by suitable means which preferably comprises an inturned flange 38 on housing 31 and upon which the lower end of spring 33 seats, and a shoulder or disc Xed to the end of rod 32 and bearing upon the end of housing 3l. Disc 39 may be countersunk in the sill, as shown, and pressure of the spring upon the ends of the housing and rod maintains the latter in fixed seating relation on the sill.

The length of each rod 32 is slightly greater than the height of the sash. Thus, as shown in Figure l, in respect of lower sash 3, and in the closed position of such sash 3, the rods extend completely through the openings' and 3i and protrude a slight distance above the top of the sash. This distance may be, for instance, of the order of one to four inches and need be only suflicient to enable the sash to be raised a sufficient distance above the sill to clear the latter. However, for a reason which will later appear, the rods 32 in the spring-loaded sash rails 'I are preferably slightly longer (about two inches) than the rods 32 in the other rails 6.; I

Means are provided for fastening the balancing mechanisms to each sash when it is desired. to remove the sash assembly from the frame whereby the balancing mechanisms will be retained in properly assembled relation to the sash, and

whereby the entire sash assembly may be removed from and inserted in the frame as a unit. Such means preferably comprises a separate end section 45 (preferably tapered as shown) pivoted to the end of rod 32 at 4l, such section being axially recessed to receive a spring-pressed ball 42 arranged to normally retain section 40 in axial alignment with rod 32. However, section may be swung to a position at right angles to rod 32, as shown inrFigures 4; and '7, ball 42 engaging a complementary recess 43 in the end of rod 32 to releasably retain section 40 in such position. YIt will'thus be apparent that, prior to removal' of a sash assembly from the frame l, it is merely necessary to swing sections 4B into right angular relation with rods 32 whereby, on removal of the sash assembly, as shown in Figure '7, the sections 43 willr rest upon the top rail 3 to prevent dropping of the balancing mechanisms out of openings 35 and 3|.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means permitting lateral swingingy movement of each sash assembly relatively toV frame l, without complete removal of thersash assembly from the frame, for cleaning or'like purposes. VTo this end, ther-eis provided a pair of bars 44 piv- The lowerY otally mounted at 45 on frame I at a point located between the pairs of grooves la and opposite the upper end portions of adjacent' rods 32 which, as previously indicated, are somewhat longer than the rods 52 in sash rails 6. Each bar liti has a hook 45 at its free end for engagement with a respective pin 4l located laterally opposite pivot point 45 on each outer edge portion` of frame l beyond the respective pair of grooves la. A spring 48 'may be provided on pivot 45 to frictionally retain each bar 44 in engaging relation with a pin 4l. As will be clear from Figures 2 and 3, when a bar 44 ishooked to a pin dl, it bridges a pair of grooves la and extends transversely of the elongated end portions of the respective pair of rods 32 to retain the latterin position in the grooves. Thus, sash rails 6 of the respective pair of sash assemblies may be Withdrawn from their grooves 6 and the outer or both of such assemblies swung outwardly from the frame, as indicated at 45 in Fig. 2, to permit access to the inner faces of the glass panels for cleaning or like purposes. It will be apparent that rod 32, when loclredin position by bar 44 as described, constitutes the pivot about which each sash assembly may swing.

Figure 5 illustrates a slightly modified formof spring-loaded sash rail 1, wherein the longi-V tudinal opening 3| is provided in a member 49 which `constitutes the fixed sash rail member directly connected to top and bottom rails 8 and 9.'

On mounting of a glass panel I2 in such a glazingV channel, the beaded edges 5l tend to be drawn into sealing engagement with the surfaces of the glass panel, as shown. A Thus, one size of such a channel will accommodate various thicknesses of glass sheets while providing in each case effective sealing engagement.

As shown in Figure 2, the outer edge of each sash member il' is preferably semi-circular in contour, and each groove 'la is of complementary contour, to permit ease of swinging movement Yof the sash assembly with respect to the frame. If desired, each such edge of sash member il may be provided with a longitudinally extending rib 52 arranged to i'lt into a complementary recess 53 in the frame to provide added weatherproong engagement of the sash with the frame.

It will be apparent that, because of the spring-4 loaded nature of sash rail l', a most eifective weatherproong engagement of the sash assembly with the frame l is provided.

A suitable screen 54 may be incorporated in therwindow structure and, as shown is mounted:

in frame i adjacent the outer face of the window.

or movement thereof, as desired, is possible from the inside of the window by appropriate sliding movement 0f the various sash assemblies.

The upper and lower sash assemblies are provided with any suitable type of meeting rail elements 55 and 56, an appropriate locking means 5i, and raising and and 59.

it will Ybe apparent that, in the structurerV described, ready access to the screen for removalV lowering lianges 58 It 4will be apparent that the degree of compression of springs 33 will be chosen to provide eiective and satisfactory balancing of the sash in question. It will also be apparent ythat the degree of compression of the spring in the upper sash assemblies will vary somewhat from that in the lower sash assemblies.

It will be observed that, since no part of the balancing 1 mechanism is incorporated in the frame, it is of very simple and inexpensive manufacture, the jambs being merely provided with the usual sash receiving grooves.

What is claimed is:

l. A self-contained window sash assembly comprising top, bottom and side rails, each of said side rails having an opening extending lengitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of said openings and comprising a detached rod freely slidable in one direction through said opening and a detached spring freely sleeved thereon and freely slidable with said rod in said one direction, one of said rails having a shoulder thereon engaged 'by said spring and restraining free sliding movement of said rod and spring in the other direction through said opening.

2. A self-contained window sash assembly comprising top, bottom and side rails, each of said side rails having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of the openings and comprising a detached rod freely slidable in one direction through said opening, a detached spring sleeved on the rod, a shoulder nxed to the side rail and freely engaging one end of the spring, and a shoulder xed to the rod and freely supporting the other end of the spring, said spring being freely slidable in said one direction with said rod through said opening and restraining movement of said rod in the other direction through said opening.

3, A self-contained window sash assembly comprising top, bottom and side rails, each of said side rails having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of the openings and comprising a detached rod freely slidable in one direction through said opening, a spring sleeved upon the rod, a shoulder nxed to the side rail and extending into said opening to constitute a seat for one end of the spring, and a shoulder fixed `to the rod and constituting a support for the other end of the spring, said spring being in unattached relation to said rails, rod and shoulders and being freely slidable in said one direction with said rod through said opening, and said spring restraining movement of said rod in the other direction.

4. A self-contained window sash assembly as defined in claim 3, including latch means for temporarily securing each of said rods to the sash assembly when in non-operative position to arrest said free sliding movement of the rod and spring.

5. A self-contained window sash assembly comprising top, bottom and side rails, one of said side rails being laterally yieldable to facilitate insertion of said assembly in and removal from a window frame, each of said side rails having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of said openings, said balancing mechanism comprising a detached rod freely slidable in one direction through said opening, a coil spring lsleeved freely upon the rod, a shoulder fixed to the `side rail and extending into said opening to constitute a seat for one end of the spring, and a tubular housing for the spring having an inturned flange at one end engaged by` the other end of .the spring, said rod having a shoulder at one end for engagement by said `hanged end of the housing, said spring and housing being Ain unattached relation to saidrails and freely slidable in said one direction with said rod through saidA opening.

6. A window sash assembly as dened in claim 5, including a member pivoted to the other end of said rod, means normally holding said member in alignment with the rod, said member being swingable into angular relation with the rod for engagement with said top rail to constitute means for temporarily latching said balancing mechanism to the assembly when the latter is in nonoperative position.

7. A self-contained window sash assembly comprising top, bottom and side rails, each of said side rails having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of said openings, each of said balancing mechanisms comprising a detached rod' freely slidable in one direction through said opening, a detached coil spring sleeved upon the rod and freely slidable with said rod in said one direction, one of said rails having a shoulder thereon engaged by said spring and restraining free sliding movement of said rod and spring in the other direction through said opening, one of said side rails comprising a member fixed to said top and bottom rails and. a second member mounted on the first member for relative lateral movement therewith, and resilient means urging said second member laterally outwardly from the irst member.

8. A window sash assembly as defined in claim 7, said opening in said last-mentioned side rail being locate in said second member.

9. A window sash assembly as defined in claim 7, said opening in said last-mentioned side rail being located in said rst member.

l0. A Window structure comprising a frame having a sill and jambs, said jambs having therein a plurality of complementary pairs of sashreceiving grooves, and a self-contained window sash assembly mounted in each said pair of grooves, each said assembly comprising a sash having top, bottom and side rails, and resilient means urging one of said side rails into engagement with a respective groove and permitting yielding lateral movement of the side rail to render said sash laterally compressible for removal from said grooves, each of said side rails having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, and a balancing mechanism extending into each of said openings in unattached relation to said rails, each said balancing mechanism comprising a rod having one end supported on the sill in unattached relation thereto, a coil spring freely sleeved upon the rod, and a shoulder fixed to the side rail and extending into said opening to constitute a seat for the upper end of said spring, the lower end of said spring being supported upon said sill in unattached relation thereto.

11. A window structure as dened in claim 10, each of said rods being normally located within a respective one of said grooves and having a length somewhat greater than the height of said sash whereby the upper end of the rod protrudes above the sash when the latter is adjacent the sill, and means mounted on the frame and engaging said protruding end 'to retain it in Vits respective groove, said retained rod thereby constituting a'pivot about which said sash may be swung outwardly from the frame.

12. A window structure as dened in claim 10, each of said rods being normally located within a respective one of Ysaid grooves and having a length somewhat greater than the height of said sash whereby the upper end of the rod protrudes above the sash when the latter is adjacent said sill, and a bar pivotally carried by the frame adjacent said prtruding ends of the rod in the resiliently urged side rail, said bar being swingable into bridging relation with the respective groove to engage said protruding end of the rod and retain it in said groove, said retained rod there- 'by constituting a pivot about which the sash may be swung outwardly from said frame.

13. A window structure as defined in claim 10, including a tubular housing for said spring having an inturned flange at its lower end engaged by the lower end of the spring, saidv rod extending through said lower anged end of thel housing and having a shoulder thereon engaging the outer surface of said lower flanged end of the housing, said shoulder of the rod being seated upon said sill.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 889,064 raylor May 26, 1908 950,850 Herrmann Mar. 1, 1910 1,910,112 Larson May 23, 1933 2,178,533 Viehweger Oct. 31, 19394 2,218,777 Viehweger Oct. 22, 1,940 2,303,129 Kurtz Nov. 24, 1942 2,473,666 Viehweger June 21, 1949 2,574,742 Kiefer Nov. 13, 1951 

